This week, I hope to be a help if you don’t back up computer files … but want to learn. It seems there has been a rash of computer problems and hard drive crashes lately that leave the user unable to access valuable files, photos and videos from their failed system. Backing up the computer, even just the files you need or want to keep, is imperative. So other than using discs, how about using cloud services? Actually, I would rather back up in clouds as they are more accessible than having to carry around thumb drives and discs. So, let me tell you what I do and offer it as a recommendation for you.

I have two cloud services I use for all my stuff. I like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. Here’s why … Google Drive works with my gmail and is easily available through the email address on any computing device. Meanwhile, OneDrive is good for storing photos. Now, of course, both services will store all sorts of files, but I keep my files separate because I have a lot of them and I want to use the free versions of both clouds. With Drive, I get 15 gigs of space. OneDrive offers 7 gigs unless I use it for photos. It is then increased to 10 gigs available. See the advantage? And both services at that level are free.

Also this week, real estate’s number one is in it to buy number two. Zillow, the largest US real estate website is looking to buy up Trulia, the second largest estate website for a reported $2 billion. Together, these two sites pull in millions of visits a month. The companies help buyers and renters find information on homes, generating revenue by selling advertising and charging Realtors to place their listings prominently. The decision on the sale could be finalized as early as next week. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-24/zillow-said-to-be-seeking-to-buy-rival-real-estate-site-trulia.html

Compared to many of the developed countries, the US lags behind in internet connectivity and speed. Why? Well, there are many reasons, but mostly, we have done it to ourselves. In an article from ReadWrite’s David Sobota “a simple problem with a complicated answer” gives the details from how our infrastructure is outdated to how there isn’t enough incentive for big business to improve the quality. Granted, there are areas of our country that get much better service than others, but when compared to countries like South Korea and Germany, we might as well still be using dial-up. This is interesting reading … http://readwrite.com/2014/07/22/internet-slow-expensive-us

===HuMoR===
One afternoon a mom was driving with her two little girls in the back seat. After a few minutes of listening to them argue, she yelled, “Knock it off, both of you!”
The older girl asked, “How did you know what we were doing?”
“Mommies have eyes in the back of their heads.” was the reply.
A few weeks later, the gang was again out driving, doing some errands. “Mommy,” one girl asked innocently, “do you still have eyes in the back of your head?”
“Of course I do,” the mom responded. “Why do you ask?”
“Well,” she said, pointing to the object in her hands, “I thought maybe you could read us this book while you drive.”
(Thanks, Darren)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Upon entering the little country store, the stranger noticed a sign saying DANGER! BEWARE OF DOG! posted on the glass door. Inside he noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor beside the cash register.
He asked the store manager, “Is THAT the dog folks are supposed to beware of?”
“Yep, that’s him,” he replied.
The stranger couldn’t help but be amused. “That certainly doesn’t look like a dangerous dog to me. Why in the world would you post that sign?”
“Because”, the owner replied, “before I posted that sign, people kept tripping over him.”
(Thanks, Eric)
====================
That’s what I have this week, friends. Until next weekend, may God bless you and keep you safe.